I was bullied my entire life, until I finally left my ex-husband. It started with my sister who is 8 years older than me, she hated me and took every chance to make me feel unwanted and unloved, hence I was shy and afraid, I am a redhead, in school I was constantly bullied about my hair, in Hebrew school I was told that I couldn't be Jewish because I had red hair. My dad had cancer and was dying in the 60's there was no help for cancer patients, I wouldn't go to him for help, my mom well basically I was told to deal with it because she had to work and take care of my dad. My sister had never let up on me, even when my dad died. I felt useless, helpless, hating who I was. Until I hit my teens, I met a guy fell in love and married, things were fine until I put him through college, I then wasn't good enough for him, he became verbally abusive, I had 2 children and no where to go, I stayed 37 years, when my son (who has his own family) insisted I move across the country and live with him. I divorced my husband of 37 years and met someone who is my rock, encouraging me,telling me even when I look my worst, how beautiful I am, I am starting to believe him. trying to talk me into finishing college, I have a math disability called discalculia and can't pass the classes to get a degree. My wonderful man stands by me, as well as my son,daughter-in-law, my daughter, all look for ways to help me do something other than the job I have now. I have gotten hurt at work and can't work for the time being, I drive a school bus, that has video and audio, the whole school district does. I have stopped bulling from happening and the parents of the the bullies who said their child wasn't a bully were shocked to see and hear what their had done. 

To this day I have a hard time believing in myself, (I am almost 60) I have the support I didn't have when I was younger.

I'm Caleb Lusk. I also go by Giggles, I got the nickname in band. I'm 16, and I was bullied. I'm not gonna tell you my story, but in middle school I got bullied to the point where I had a knife against my neck. But here I am. I put down the knife and I gotta say, that was the best decision I've ever made. I know it's hard going through middle school. Heck, I'm a junior this year and I know it's hard in high school. But even when times have seemed to hit rock bottom, don't give up. I know what it's like to be the kid no one cares about. I want you to know that no matter what, you're a masterpiece. A true work of art. If you cut, then stop. Please. You're priceless. I want you here. I care about you. I love you. If you have thoughts of suicide. Call a friend, or a family member that you can talk to. Because you're priceless. I want you here, I care about you, I love you. Whether you believe it or not, we're all here for a purpose. And without you here, everything would be different. You could be the next president. You could be a famous actor. You can change the world. You're important. I want you to know that no matter what, there's always someone out there who cares about you. And if you haven't been complimented lately, you have a beautiful smile. You're gorgeous. You have pretty eyes. You have a cute laugh. You're a masterpiece.

I'm Caleb Lusk. I also go by Giggles, I got the nickname in band. I'm 16, and I was bullied. I'm not gonna tell you my story, but in middle school I got bullied to the point where I had a knife against my neck. But here I am. I put down the knife and I gotta say, that was the best decision I've ever made. I know it's hard going through middle school. Heck, I'm a junior this year and I know it's hard in high school. But even when times have seemed to hit rock bottom, don't give up. I know what it's like to be the kid no one cares about. I want you to know that no matter what, you're a masterpiece. A true work of art. If you cut, then stop. Please. You're priceless. I want you here. I care about you. I love you. If you have thoughts of suicide. Call a friend, or a family member that you can talk to. Because you're priceless. I want you here, I care about you, I love you. Whether you believe it or not, we're all here for a purpose. And without you here, everything would be different. You could be the next president. You could be a famous actor. You can change the world. You're important. I want you to know that no matter what, there's always someone out there who cares about you. And if you haven't been complimented lately, you have a beautiful smile. You're gorgeous. You have pretty eyes. You have a cute laugh. You're a masterpiece.

Hey, I'm Matt but you can called me Mja. I'm 14 and have been bullied since the start of my education but has gotten worse as time goes on. I was first bullied in 2nd grade and was shoved into walls by older kids. I'm now a freshman in HS but my 8th grade year was the worse. I was called names due to my weight(Fat Matt, Fat stuff, etc.) and man did that hurt my confidence in myself to the point where I went to ask a girl out and couldn't pull myself to it. Now I'm headed into HS and I'll have new faces to see that on first look at me will make fun of me since I weigh over 240. I wish they would just stop but no, no they persist. I spend most my time on my computer due to it being my life and a source of income. Most of the time I try to ignore them but can't. My latest issue was the mental breakdowns I get, luckily I have amazing friends that look out for me. I'm grateful for my mom threatening to send me away if I hurt myself but I've come close. I try to help anyone I see that gets bullied since I know what they go through and their pain. I hope you read my small story because it's only the start of it. And if you did read it I want to thank you for showing care in me :)

Hi, I'm Anna I am 15. I am like the thousands of kids that are being bullied right this minute. In 2005 as I stepped out of my moms car with my sky blue and navy blue uniform on, my floral backpack on my shoulders and my pink Scooby Doo lunch box in hand; I looked up at the tall brick building where I would be spending five years of my adolescent life, unaware of truly awaited me on the inside. After a few pictures and one last look at my crying parents I took the first step into the abrupt end of my innocence. Of course the first day was great, I loved my teacher and I enjoyed my studies; I hadn't made any friends but I dismissed that as a typical 'first day' thing, I would for sure get a friend tomorrow! And to my delight I did, her name was Sarah. We became very good friends but by first grade she began to drift away and the bullies started to pursue. Now let me set the scene a bit, I was a first grade student, at a private school, I was shy and quite a bit taller and wider than my class mates. This is when I developed the understanding that being who I was, was a bad thing. For a while I tried to fit in to no success. I started to think that maybe I wasn't nice enough, so what did I foolishly end up doing? Trying to buy peoples friendship of course, and it "worked". You can imagine why there are quotes around that... Anyway, with my new friends I played soccer and basketball with which I was actually very good with, considering my size, I could move rather quickly. This fun time didn't last long though, I soon was trust into a situation where I was trying to defend my friends (that's what friends do right?) from older boys that were bullying her. I did so, and BOOM, I landed myself the nickname of 'pork chop'. Go ahead and laugh, I know I do now, though back then it did hurt, a lot. But non the less life went on, I continued to 'buy my friends', but then it came to the boys, who poked fun (boys will be boys) I would usually end up crying in the bathroom. The bullying really became prominent in my life in second grade, where I gained my second nickname, 'Godzilla". In all honesty, I could have lived with the pork chop name... This one excluded me from things, If I wanted to play with the other kids they would say no because I might 'eat' them or 'squash' them or some other asinine thing. It got so bad that I ended up throwing up and going home or pretending I was sick and going home. I usually would call my grandparents, my parents would say no or would be too busy and our relationship wasn't amazing at them time so I felt I would cut my losses. As soon as I stepped foot in my grandpas van I knew I was safe from all the mean kids and could let down my guard. Even though when I got home you would usually find me playing with my stuffed animals or my dog, I was dying inside. I would spend countless nights balling and praying that things would be better, (I am a pretty good Catholic by the way). When things didn't get better I would continue the going home and even now I cringe when I say this, but self harm. (I didn't cut though so don't be too upset) No I found other ways to relieve the pain and punish myself for being who I was. As the bullying got worse I developed a depression that was more than I could bear, I took knives to my throat, guns to my head, and hands around my neck. All the time being too big of a wuss to do anything, (which is something I can thank God for I guess). So you can say that my Kindergarten-Fifth grade years were the worst years of my life.

In sixth grade I moved houses and (since God had mercy on me) moved schools as well. I came in terrified that my life would continue to be terrible, I feared the possibility that as I got older, I would be capable of taking my own life. Though to my surprise I haven't, and I don't plan to. I have not self harmed in three years and I am happier than ever. I am currently a Sophomore in high school, and all I have to say to my attackers is that you lost. I am alive and happy and you can't hurt me anymore, even if you tried I have an abundance of friends that would fight for me. You won the battle, but I won the war.

My advice, NEVER is being you a bad thing. I don't care what society thinks! You are amazing and you deserve to live life the way you want to!

I leave you now with a quote, “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection” – Buddha

My first bullying experience was in Kindergarten. My hair was a mess and my little hands were very chapped and held onto any and all dirt making them appear never washed. I was born in January one year and my little sister was born in December of the same year. This made us "Irish Twins" and we were raised and  dressed alike. No one ever seen one of us without the other. One tragic day, my little sister caught her dress on fire by getting too close to the water heater in the basement.  My best friend died that night. I witnessed her running through the house engulfed in flames. From that time on, I was not always attended to because due to our likenesses, everyone showed pain when I appeared in their presence. I was a reminder. I used to hide in the "closet" as it felt safe. My parents were so distraught and there was no therapy to help with such trauma in those days. I never felt accepted by my peers and I always felt like I never fit in with any of my classmates. One day to get even with a girl that I wanted for a friend so bad, I used chalk and wrote her middle name all over the sidewalk on my way home. She had an Irish surname for a middle name and her mother called my mom to complain. That, I believe was how I bullied back and I  have never forgotten how horrible I felt for doing that. Bullying hurts so bad and I know when you do the bullying, you dislike yourself more, afterwards, so it is a never ending vicious circle. I have 12 grandkids and 10 great grandkids and I  want to do all that I can to stop the bullying. I know some of my sweet grandkids have been bullied. That breaks my heart. It needs to stop....NOW!

I was bullied half of my life and I know how it feels to be bullied.... I was bullied so bad I had no  friends and i had no one to turn to that knows the feelings i was feeling... The only people i had was my mom and dad and that was it..... I felt so alone and that I had nothing or no one... But then I realized that when I was getting bullied even though i was alone I knew that other kids around the world are even getting bullied too... That I wasn't the only one who knows the feeling of having no one or nothing... I was bullied so bad now when i get bullied i may cry but I have someone there for me my best friend.. My mom is my bestest friend then anyone else.. So when I was getting bullied I ran to the guidance councilors, teachers, secretaries, my parents, and the principals they tried and tried really hard to help me but when they spoke to the bullies or anyone about it, it only made it worst... I know when they talked to the bullies or anybody about it that they never meant for it to happen more and more that they really care about me to lose me so they helped.... So later on down the harsh road school came to the end and so did some of the bullying.. Over the summers i stayed home, to my grandma's, my doctors appointments, and church and that was it... I never left the house and I never did.. So as soon as I got older the bullying stopped less... So now I'm getting bullied somewhat and it is happening less and less.. But now I have People to turn too like my cousin.... I could never have made it this far with out my family... I mean I still get bullied sometimes but not like i used too...

Ever since I was young I have been a sad child. During my younger years of age I was shy and still am. I remember burying my face into my fathers shirt when going out into public. But I also remember not having many friends, or as some would say no friends. The bullying started in second grade as something I did not pay attention to much but progressively got worse over the years. I remember going to recess every day and sitting on that swing alone throughout both third and fourth grade. The difference in those two years is the change in my peers attitude. Third grade kids did not mind being around me and did not make rude and disrespectful comments. Each day in fourth grade I would come home only to tell my mom it went the same, it was bad. I was a misfit, a victim of bullying but it was just the beginning. I came into fifth grade realizing hell was waiting in front of me. Not only were my classmates hurtful to me but my teacher. Someone you are supposed to count on to be there to help you and protect you. I remember kids constantly harassing me because of the way I looked or the things I said. I remember the mocking and horrid laughter coming out of each and every one of them. I remember the tears that I constantly tried keeping in. And my teacher who both insulted me and the way I looked at life. He called me a whiner because I constantly wasn't able to hold back my tears. I remember one day it had got so bad, I walked out of class, sat down near my locker, and cried my eyes out. Sixth grade was not as bad, I had made a new group of friends, it may have not been the best group but I had friends who cared for me. Seventh grade was the great until during the middle of the school year my mother had fallen in love, got pregnant, and here we are moving in to this mans house. I got to this school and was welcomed by many people. I was instantly what everyone was talking about, weather it was about what I was wearing and who I was. I ended up dating quite a few boys. I dated this one boy named Tommy, at first it was just a little crush, but then my heart really got crushed. He made up that he was going to be sleeping over at my house and told a few of his friends. The rumor out and there was no way for me to stop the rumor. He ended up breaking up with me and leaving me with the reputation of an ugly slut. My own friends turned on me because of him. My own reputation turned to garbage. He made people think I am something I am not. I was known as a slut, whore, loser, etc. No matter what I said I was still shut out. Towards the end of the year I became very good friends who is now my best friend with a girl named Vanessa. We went through the whole summer and eighth grade together making tons of great and fun memories. But eighth grade was the one year I kept most things to myself. It wasn't all fun and games for me. I dealt with both depression and bullying. My thighs soon were covered in cuts and each time I had a problem I would turn to the blade. Weather it was because of someones rude comment or because of my past. One night I thought I was done, I picked up the pill bottle, and attempted suicide. I was relieved to know it would all be over soon. That was until I woke up the next morning knowing I had failed. I hated getting up those mornings and making my way to school. Sitting there in class feeling as if I was alone even though sitting around me were 20 other students. I hated the fact I had to listen to people call me ugly, slut, whore, lesbian, etc. And I did not do anything about it I just let it sit there and all sink in knowing once I get home I would be able to let it all out and have the blade relieve all my pain. My best friend one day saw those cuts and looked at me and told me I need to stop. I told her I was trying and her exact words were "well it doesn't look like it". It feels like I no longer know who she is considering she is constantly putting me down. I constantly bring her up and compliment her. While she constantly brings me down and makes a rude comment about the way I look or the things I say. My father says she is just jealous of me. i bring myself to tears when I look at her and have to leave the room knowing I will never be as beautiful as her. Weather its the length of my hair, the style of my clothes, or my natural features. This summer has been hell. With my therapist leaving after all I have told her, getting kicked out of my mother's house twice because of the fights we get in, constantly not getting along with my mother, and the four attempts of suicide. But now it is up to me to change my future and help others in need. I am a survivor and I am willing to help others in need. My name is Serena Harden. 

I was not bulled in school but a few of my friends were. People who called themselves my friend would be mean to or make fun of my other friends. I quit being friends with the bullies and as far as I know they left my other friends alone.

Hi! My name is Adrian. I am 15 years old. During my middle school years I was bullied. I was called names such as (gay, bum, etc..) My classmates would throw things at me whenever the teacher turned her back. 2 months before I finished 8th grade I got assaulted by one of my classmates. I don't know why he assaulted me. I got him into trouble with the school and the police. From this day I am working as hard as I can to make sure that no one will ever get bullied. I want bullying to stop for a billion of reasons.